Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BRATISLAVA341
2009-07-31 16:16:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Bratislava
Cable title:
SLOVAKIA: OSCE HUMAN DIMENSION MEETING DEMARCHE RESPONSE
how-toVZCZCXRO1422 RR RUEHSL DE RUEHSL #0341 2121616 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 311616Z JUL 09 FM AMEMBASSY BRATISLAVA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0077 INFO RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RHEHAAA/NSC WASHINGTON DC RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 0001 RUEHSL/AMEMBASSY BRATISLAVA 0105
UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 000341
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL KCOR KJUS UNHRC OSCE LO
SUBJECT: SLOVAKIA: OSCE HUMAN DIMENSION MEETING DEMARCHE RESPONSE
REF: STATE 78227
UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 000341
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL KCOR KJUS UNHRC OSCE LO
SUBJECT: SLOVAKIA: OSCE HUMAN DIMENSION MEETING DEMARCHE RESPONSE
REF: STATE 78227
1. (U) We delivered reftel points to Marianna Lipkova and Miriam
Joklova in the Department of Human Rights, Council of Europe,
OSCE and Minorities at the MFA. Lipkova said Slovakia takes the
annual OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting (HDIM)
seriously. She said the GOS plans on participating but has not
yet determined the size or composition of its delegation.
2. (U) On the points specifically related to Slovakia, Lipkova
said the MFA is familiar with U.S. concerns. Lipkova stated
that these concerns are best raised in a bilateral rather than
multilateral setting, especially because Slovakia and the U.S.
are allies.
3. (U) Lipkova's comments echo the GOS position taken in a July
21 meeting between Veronika Lombardini, Director of the Human
Rights Department at the MFA, and DRL's Susan Corke. At that
meeting, Lombardini expressed her deep frustration with the U.S.
positions at the OSCE and UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC),which
were critical of the treatment of Roma in police custody and
former Justice Minister Harabin. Lombardini said the public
U.S. comments weakened our common stance as human rights
protectors and distracted the multilateral bodies from more
pressing and egregious human rights violations, particularly in
the OSCE region.
4. (U) Grouping two of the three Slovakia-specific points
together, Lipkova said there is a judicial process on corruption
and media intimidation issues. She said the right to appeal a
legal ruling exists in such cases where a party continues to
feel aggrieved.
5. (U) On Roma issues, Lipkova said the GOS has addressed these
concerns in other international fora, including the Universal
Periodic Review (UPR) process in the UNHRC. Lipkova said the
issue has been adequately explained in these fora, and the GOS
has already taken steps to address Roma discrimination issues.
6. (U) Lipkova and Joklova said they would share the reftel
points with their colleagues and advise us if they have any
further comments.
EDDINS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL KCOR KJUS UNHRC OSCE LO
SUBJECT: SLOVAKIA: OSCE HUMAN DIMENSION MEETING DEMARCHE RESPONSE
REF: STATE 78227
1. (U) We delivered reftel points to Marianna Lipkova and Miriam
Joklova in the Department of Human Rights, Council of Europe,
OSCE and Minorities at the MFA. Lipkova said Slovakia takes the
annual OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting (HDIM)
seriously. She said the GOS plans on participating but has not
yet determined the size or composition of its delegation.
2. (U) On the points specifically related to Slovakia, Lipkova
said the MFA is familiar with U.S. concerns. Lipkova stated
that these concerns are best raised in a bilateral rather than
multilateral setting, especially because Slovakia and the U.S.
are allies.
3. (U) Lipkova's comments echo the GOS position taken in a July
21 meeting between Veronika Lombardini, Director of the Human
Rights Department at the MFA, and DRL's Susan Corke. At that
meeting, Lombardini expressed her deep frustration with the U.S.
positions at the OSCE and UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC),which
were critical of the treatment of Roma in police custody and
former Justice Minister Harabin. Lombardini said the public
U.S. comments weakened our common stance as human rights
protectors and distracted the multilateral bodies from more
pressing and egregious human rights violations, particularly in
the OSCE region.
4. (U) Grouping two of the three Slovakia-specific points
together, Lipkova said there is a judicial process on corruption
and media intimidation issues. She said the right to appeal a
legal ruling exists in such cases where a party continues to
feel aggrieved.
5. (U) On Roma issues, Lipkova said the GOS has addressed these
concerns in other international fora, including the Universal
Periodic Review (UPR) process in the UNHRC. Lipkova said the
issue has been adequately explained in these fora, and the GOS
has already taken steps to address Roma discrimination issues.
6. (U) Lipkova and Joklova said they would share the reftel
points with their colleagues and advise us if they have any
further comments.
EDDINS